Solicitor Apprentice Review
at Pinsent Masons LLP
Degree Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
As a solicitor apprentice I work 4 days a week and as i progress into my programme, my role becomes similar to that of a trainee solicitor, with increasing responsibility for real client work, supported by experienced lawyers. No two days are the same and depending on the team you're in the type of work you do is varied. For instance you could be working on live client matters, supporting solicitors on both advisory and contentious legal issues, drafting and reviewing legal documents, such as correspondences. All of this is then balanced with weekly study days, exams, and general skills development.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I can honestly say i enjoy my programme greatly. Whilst the hours can sometimes be rough, the actual work is challenging and as a result, i feel like i am constantly learning and applying myself to different scenarios. Integrating myself within the team is always a challenge at first, but once you find your feet, everyone is very welcoming and supportive.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Certainly. My general analytical and theoretical skills have developed greatly, and i've noticed significant improvement in my time management and communication skills. These improvements are bound to happen as you are constantly exposed to different legal scenarios both within work and with the university side of things.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Overall, the programme is structured well, with two years in one team and two years in another team, before continuing on to the training contract. There appears to be varied support as you go through the years which can seem unclear at times, however the overarching support is a constant at Pinsent Masons.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
As with the structure, there are times where communication could be stronger in terms of what to expect as the programme moves on and as you get closer to the end stages. However the general buddy system support, team support and early careers support is undoubtedly a constant mechanism which makes voicing issues/concerns easier.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
At times, it feels as though the skills reviews and the university lectures/module portion are a check-box exercise, with no real goal to work towards. It is something to tick off before you actually start your SQE prep.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Confident that it does. The structure of the programme means we learn most of black letter law within the first couple years which supports our work performance greatly.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There ae regular probono, extracurricular and social activities we can sign up to, and we are encouraged to do so.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Pinsent Masons LLP to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Whilst the programme may have small problems, these can easily be fixed with time. The firm culture and the general support we receive greatly outweighs any issues.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Pinsent Masons LLP?
Make sure you understand what the firm truly stands for. The culture of a workplace is very important so having a clear understanding of this when applying will help you show how you are best suited for the role and for the firm.
